Children's home run by Homes for Support

Inspection report for children’s home: 2592713 1 Registered provider: Homes for Support Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private organisation. The home provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 4 children were living at the home. 3 children spoke to the inspectors.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 11 February 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2592713 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/02/2025 Full Outstanding 03/01/2024 Full Good 28/09/2022 Full Good 10/05/2022 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2592713 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, three children have continued to remain settled and make exceptional progress. Additionally, one child has moved out in line with their plans and one child has moved in. The manager carefully considers all children’s needs and risks, to ensure that any changes happen seamlessly and are well-managed. One child previously experienced multiple moves, however, has moved into this home and been supported to settle in quickly and very positively built strong and trusting relationships with staff. The child’s social worker said, ‘[Name of child] has made a ton of progress since moving here!’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff are committed to providing personalised care and support to children. They have an excellent understanding of each child’s needs and have formed strong, trusting relationships with them. Children are physically affectionate to the staff and are now able to seek and accept reassurance in a positive way. Children talk to staff without the fear of being judged. Children are made to feel highly valued, worthy and listened to. An independent reviewing officer for two of the children said, ‘Children here are celebrated for being children.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff have an excellent understanding of the importance of education. Staff listen to children to explore any barriers they have to learning. One child proudly said, ‘I’ve been to education and I’m attending it. I didn’t go for weeks, not properly, but I am going now’. Staff are proactive in supporting children to achieve their potential. When children do not attend formal education, staff work closely with professionals to identify and implement alternative learning approaches.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are provided with a range of activities and encouraged to develop hobbies, interests, make friends and become part of the community. Children enjoy caravan holidays and trips to the beach. They attend and thoroughly enjoy swimming lessons giving them a life skill, visit parks and farms, go to the cinema and eat meals out together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide exceptional support to prepare older children for adulthood in a way that continues to nurture them while promoting their confidence and abilities to live more independently. One child is successfully learning how to live more independently in the annexe space in line with the initial plans when they moved in, while continuing to remain integrated in the home environment and receive any support required. They are involved in their plans, their progress is celebrated and the next steps for learning are clear and achievable. A social worker said, ‘He has become more confident and he says this himself.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff are dedicated to supporting children to spend time with their families in a way that they feel comfortable. Staff ensure that the arrangements are fully supported and well organised, which has built parent’s trust with professionals. The Inspection report for children’s home: 2592713 4 manager listens to the children’s views and advocates for additional time with family when appropriate. One parent said, ‘We would not have survived without them [staff]’.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Staff have a comprehensive understanding of the children’s needs and risks. They educate children about risk using consistent and creative approaches attuned and tailored to children’s understanding. One child with little understanding of road safety has developed a better sense of road dangers. A social worker said, ‘They [staff] know exactly how to respond to [name of child] and keep him safe.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Staff are highly skilled in supporting children’s behaviour. They use a therapeutic approach, PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) model of care which flows through the behaviour support plans and risk assessments for children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children benefit from nurturing and empathetic parenting and risks have reduced. When children are held, this is appropriate and only as a last resort to keep them safe. Staff talk to children about making positive choices to further develop their understanding in a nurturing manner underpinned by therapeutic parenting approaches.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children who have medication to manage long-term health conditions are exceptionally well supported. Children are prepared to manage their own medication safely and independently in preparation for adulthood. One child has been successfully supported to develop an understanding of their health condition. This work is having a huge impact on the child’s day-to-day experiences now and likely to continue to have a positive impact in the future.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children no longer go missing from home. However, missing-from-home risk assessments are in place and these are tailored to each individual child. Staff can clearly articulate without hesitation the precise details of the actions they should take for each child when required.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Safeguarding procedures are followed immediately and effectively to keep children safe from harm. Children have trusted adults they can talk to. When children make disclosures or allegations, these are referred to the appropriate agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The team is led by an experienced, knowledgeable and inspirational manager. One member of staff said about the manager, ‘They truly are incredible and only make those around them better’. The manager has a clear vision for the home with high aspirations for children and staff. As a result, the staff team are enthusiastic in providing high- quality care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children are cared for by a long-standing, stable, committed and mainly qualified staff team. Newly recruited staff are welcomed into the team and feel very supported, engaging in a structured induction plan. In addition, there are clear pathways to Inspection report for children’s home: 2592713 5 progression in the organisation, which helps to retain experienced and consistent staff for the children. Staff report feeling well supported by the manager and are proactive in continually improving the therapeutic care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Learning and reflection is embedded throughout day-to-day staff practice providing them with opportunities to reflect on the progress and experiences of the children, as well as their own personal development. The manager supports staff through regular team meetings and supervision sessions. In addition to a clear training plan, further learning opportunities are provided through quizzes, research and a therapist who provides additional training. This trauma informed approach helps staff develop a greater understanding of the children’s behaviour.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children receive high-quality care from experienced, knowledgeable and skilled adults who are able to keep them safe and help them flourish. Learning and development are embedded in the day-to-day practice of staff. The manager ensures that staff understand, learn and reflect on their learning and apply this to practice, striving to continuously improve their skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s progress is meticulously tracked through the effective use of monitoring tools. The manager provides exceptional leadership that drives continuous improvement and ensures consistently high ‑ quality care. Monitoring systems are rigorous, with recommendations from the independent person swiftly implemented. Risk assessments are seamlessly integrated with keyworker records, creating a dynamic method for evaluating the impact of care. This enables the manager to efficiently review progress, identify gaps and respond proactively to emerging needs. This help ensure that children experience positive outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2592713 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2592713 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Northern House, 3 Kennerleys Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5EQ

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Inspector

Sarah Probert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2592713 8 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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